Voice of the Martyrs Responds to Exec. Director's Death, Allegations of Molestation

Voice of the Martyrs Responds to Exec. Director's Death, Allegations of Molestation

The Voice of the Martyrs, a ministry providing aid to persecuted Christians around the world, is responding to the sudden death of its executive director, Tom White, last week and the subsequent news of allegations that White had inappropriate contact with a young girl and chose to take his own life rather than face those allegations, the Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprisereports. White, who worked with VOM for more than 30 years and served as executive director for more than 20, was found dead the morning of April 17 after being reported missing the night before. Court records show that White, 64, had very recently been accused of molesting a young girl and that police had launched an investigation. In a statement on Friday, VOM said: "None of those in leadership at VOM, including our Board of Directors, were aware of these allegations at the time of Tom's death. There is no doubt that Tom cared about his wife, his children and his grandchildren. And there's no doubt that he cared about VOM. We are deeply saddened by these events. Our hearts are broken. However, the work that God has called VOM to do is bigger than any one of us. There are persecuted Christians who need our help. The legal process will go forward, and we will continue serving with our persecuted brothers and sisters." A letter from VOM's president is expected to appear on its website this week.